Re: Water and Reserve Officers

While reading this week’s Star I was disgusted to see the water issue, yet again. To flip the page and see the town of Stevi has 4 (that’s four), new reserve officers. So the town is going to rape residents who don’t have the money to pay for water as it is, with new rates, AND add more officers and whatever health care they choose plus all other town employees at 450 bucks a pop without a hitch. After reading the star four more times, I found no weekly crime report indicating that we need 3 regular pay officers, 4 reserve officers, whichever three Sheriff’s are in the valley for the evening plus state patrol. Oh, and a DUI task force to harass citizens that choose to OBEY the law and WALK home. REALLY? Has Stevensville, Montana become a new boot camp regime? Where no crime report means it is necessary to pay for more officers instead of paying for the water bill they owe the bank? Almost sounds like Washington? And where and when are those town meetings being held and why aren’t they on the front page where the town can see them in 48 point font? Also… an appeals board would be nice to know about… The town of Stevensville should be requesting an appeal and voicing objection at the ludicrous going ons. 7+ officers and a water tab, Shame on town hall. Who bought you?

Kim
I have to say that this is a case of putting the horse befor the cart in your case, you decided to runoff at the mouth before verifying your facts. Colour you red and stupid. The reserve officers do it because they want to protect the citizens of stevensville and I am happy to call this my home. You Kim are more than welcome to move and deal with real life real crime elsewhere.
I think an open letter to the editor apologizing to the brave men who make this town safe and if you can manage it a great big thankyou.

Ms. Brown,
I was wrong…there are 9, not 7 sworn officers protecting streets that need no protecting. my bad. as far as moving, I was raised here. I went to school here, and I will finish raising my children here. This community is safe because these fine people I call my friends, made it that way. From the beginning which was somewhere’s around the early 1800 sometime. The worked hard to build this little piece of paradise. They worked together. Since you are so happy to call our little town your home, you might find it equally as happy to discover what makes a community. You might be surprised to discover that it is NOT a police force. The brave men and women of this town are made up of the whole, ANY person in this community can be a hero, from the youngest to the oldest. To find out more about your community you can read Montana Genesis. You can check it out at your local library.

Kim,
I’m not sure you understand how Reserve Officer Programs work. These officers VOLUNTEER their time, pay for their own gear out of their pocket, and do not recieve compensation for any of it. No health benefits, they work separate full time jobs to earn their living. I also believe your figures are wrong on the number of paid officers as well. I also want to remind you that the County has communities from Florence to Sula to protect, not to mention all the area in between. I’m sorry that YOUR actions led to unfavorable interactions with the men and women that dedicate their lives to serving others, but I want to thank them for always being there! Thank you officers for doing your jobs, the low crime rate proves it is working, just ask Kim…

my ex-husband went through the reserves when we were first married and has been a Sheriff now for 15 years. I am proud to say he was the best mistake I ever made. Nothing like being informed like being there. My letter has no disrespect for officers who uphold our constitution, but is a valid question non the less in a town that boasts almost zero crime for over 30 years, and likely longer than that, which begs to offer…why the need for duty sworn officers we don’t need unless we really need them…fair question deserving of a transparent answer. Low crime comes from within its citizen make-up not how many officers are patrolling the streets.